Intoxication by eating jackfruit? Many questions raised by the shocking incident of Kerala, know the opinion of experts

Can ripe fruits fail the breath analyzer test?

A strange incident that came to light from Pathanamthitta district of Kerala has surprised everyone. Here three government bus drivers were found positive in the breath analyzer test without drinking alcohol. When investigated, it was revealed that these drivers had not eaten alcohol, but only ripe jackfruit. This incident raised a big question – can eating jackfruit cause intoxication?

What happened?

This incident is of Pandalam depot, where routine breath analyzer test of bus drivers was done before leaving for the route. The report of all three drivers came positive. While all three claimed that they did not drink even a drop of alcohol. The officials found this thing strange, so instructions were given for re-examination.

Failed the breath analyzer test again

All three drivers got tested again, but the report came positive again. This confused the officials. Why would all three drivers lie together? Then one driver told that he had recently consumed a sweet jackfruit called Thennavarika (Honey Jackfruit), which was brought from Kollam district.

The secret was revealed by the experiment

To remove the doubt, the officials asked another employee to eat the same jackfruit and immediately after that his breath analyzer test was done. Surprisingly, the report of that employee also came positive, although he too had not consumed any alcohol. After this it became clear that in reality the matter is related to jackfruit, not alcohol.

Does jackfruit really cause intoxication?

According to experts, when the Thennavarika variety of jackfruit becomes very ripe, the process of fermentation starts in it naturally. In this process, ethanol starts forming, which can be detected by the breath analyzer.

Not only this, some other fruits like:

Banana

Mango

Durian, also produce a small amount of ethanol when overripe. If a breath analyser test is done immediately after eating these fruits, then a wrong reading may come.

Experts' opinion

Experts in food science and toxicology believe that such incidents are rare but not impossible. The amount of natural alcohol in ripe fruits is very low, which does not cause intoxication, but the breath analyser can detect it.

What was the lesson from this incident?

It is important to be cautious about the accuracy of the breath analyser test.

Food and drink items should also be taken care of before the test.

Officials should take decisions on the basis of scientific information for such incidents.

Conclusion

This entire incident proves that every time a breath analyser positive does not mean drinking alcohol. Sometimes naturally fermented foods can also give such wrong reports. Therefore, it is very important to investigate and act with discretion in such cases.

(Disclaimer: This article is for general information. For any kind of health related information, please consult your doctor or specialist.)